Wastewater overflows into Wellington's harbour after pipe blocks

Wellington harbour. Photo / Mark Mitchell

A blocked pipe near Queens Wharf in Wellington has sent wastewater flowing into the harbour just hours after Oriental Bay residents were left without water in a separate incident.

Wellington Water estimates about 20,000 litres of wastewater was discharged.

But pump station operators have removed the blockage and the overflow has stopped, Wellington Water reported.

A section of Featherston St is down to one lane while flusher trucks access the network to assist with the removal of fatbergs, which are hindering flows to the pump station.

Fatbergs are lumps of congealed fats, oils, and food waste washed down people's sinks, which grow larger as they pass through pipes.

They can become big enough to bust through pipes causing wastewater overflows that can contaminate homes, the environment, or ruin infrastructure.

The amount of wastewater that spewed into the harbour this morning was much less than what was dicharged in December 2019, when a wastewater tunnel collapsed.

About five million litres of wastewater flowed into the harbour as a result, compared with the 20,000 litres today.

The stormwater culvert beside Foxglove Bar is being visually monitored for any more discharges.

Health warning signs have been erected along the waterfront warning members of the public of the areas surrounding the outlet.

Wellington Water estimates about 20,000 litres of wastewater overflowed into the harbour this morning. Photo / Georgina Campbell

Commercial properties in the area have been notified and water samples will be taken for the next three days.

Earlier this morning, Wellington Water crews responded to a burst water main along Oriental Parade.

Water was shut off in the area leaving 100 properties going without.

Bottled water was made available and a water tanker was sent to the site.

Wellington Water teams managed to repair the burst by 10.45am and water was restored to residents.

The water company advises those in the area to run a cold tap for at least 10 minutes, preferably up to 20 minutes, to remove any air pockets and cloudy water from the pipes before using hot taps, dishwashers and washing machines.

At the weekend, a water main burst on Agra Crescent in the suburb of Khandallah sending water skyrocketing up into the air.

— Diane Calvert (@dianecalvertnz) November 6, 2020

The burst left almost 100 properties without water before Wellington Water could repair it.